Pacers, James Wiseman Agree To Two-Year Contract

The Indiana Pacers and former Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman have agreed to a two-year contract, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Wiseman, 23, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors but has never lived up to lofty expectations. The Warriors traded him to the Pistons in February 2023, as part of a four-team trade that also involved the Portland Trai Blazers and Atlanta Hawks.

This past season, Wiseman averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 63 games, shooting 61.3% from the field and 70.6% on free throws. He carries NBA career averages of 9.1 points and 5.6 boards.

With Indiana, he will add frontcourt depth and size to a team that advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Wiseman’s primary role will likely be that of providing relief for starting center Myles Turner.

It’s a good signing for the Pacers, who recently re-inked forward Obi Toppin but lost power forward Jalen Smith to the Chicago Bulls in free agency.

Meanwhile, the Pistons decide to let Wiseman walk after the dismissal of coach Monty Williams. They are hiring former Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff and are bringing a few veterans to help the program get on its feet after sitting the league’s single-season record with 28 straight losses. Detroit finished an NBA-worst 14-68 this past season.

One of the veterans being brought in is forward Tobias Harris, formerly of the Philadelphia 76ers. This will be his second run in Detroit. The Pistons have also been linked to Cavs wing Isaac Okoro, as we relayed here. Okoro is a restricted free agent.